Chapter 17 Let's Go Night Hunting
Being hugged and acted like a spoiled child by Wei Wuxian made Jin Ling feel awkward for several days. But when he saw Wei Wuxian again, although he still put on some airs, he was no longer as deliberately distant as before. Occasionally, he would even approach him and ask questions about sword techniques or talismans.
That afternoon, Si Zhui, Jin Ling, and Lan Jingyi gathered in the courtyard of the quiet room to discuss going hunting outside the city at night over the weekend.
"I heard that Wangyue Mountain in the western suburbs has been in turmoil recently. Some villagers said that they could hear women crying at night, and several chickens and ducks were lost." Lan Jingyi was holding a crumpled piece of paper, which he had secretly copied from his senior brother who was in charge of night hunting registration.
Jin Ling frowned. "A woman crying? Could it be some vengeful ghost haunting her?"
"Maybe it's an evil spirit in disguise." Si Zhui mused, "We can go and take a look. If it's a minor problem, we can solve it. If it's a more serious problem, we can report it to the elders for handling."
"Alright!" Lan Jingyi immediately clapped his hands in agreement. "That's settled! I'll carry the talisman, Jin Ling will carry the sword, and Si Zhui... you know a lot, so you can command us when the time comes!"
Jin Ling glanced at him and said, "You're the only one who talks too much." Although he expressed disdain, there was a hint of expectation in his eyes - they hadn't been out together for a long time since the last night hunt at the Su family ancestral hall.
The three of them were talking animatedly when Wei WuXian came out carrying a bowl of osmanthus cake. He smiled and joked, "Hey, what are you three plotting? You're so secretive."
Lan Jingyi immediately came over and handed him the note as if offering a treasure: "Senior Wei, we want to go night hunting in Wangyue Mountain, is it okay for you?"
Wei WuXian took the note and read it, then looked up at the three of them. "Moon-Watching Mountain? While that place isn't dangerous, it's a bit winding. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Si Zhui nodded. "We will be careful and will not act recklessly. If we encounter a problem we cannot solve, we will immediately use flares to ask for help."
“I think it’s okay.” Wei Wuxian took a bite of the osmanthus cake and smiled slyly, “But you have to take me with you.”
All three of them were stunned.
"Senior, are you going too?" Lan Jingyi was a little flattered.
"What, you're not welcome?" Wei WuXian raised an eyebrow. "With me here, you can also learn a few more practical combat skills, how great."
Jin Ling's eyes lit up, but he didn't say anything. A slight smile crept up his lips. Si Zhui was even happier: "Of course you're welcome! With Daddy here, we feel more at ease."
As he was speaking, Lan Wangji emerged from his study. He had just finished his official duties and, overhearing the conversation in the courtyard, he casually asked, "Are you going night hunting?"
"Yes, Second Young Master Lan!" Lan Jingyi responded quickly, "We've agreed to go to Wangyue Mountain, and Senior Wei also said he wants to go with us!"
Lan Wangji looked at Wei Wuxian with a questioning look in his eyes.
Wei WuXian smiled and winked at him, “Play with the kids, and find out what the evil spirit on Moon-Watching Mountain is.”
Lan Wangji nodded. "Go early and come back early. Be careful." After a pause, he added, "I'll go with you."
Even Wei WuXian was a little surprised at this: "You're going too?"
"Yeah." Lan Wangji said calmly, "Nothing has happened in the Cloud Recesses recently."
Sizhui felt more at ease. With his father and dad by his side, he wasn't afraid of anything more dangerous, let alone Wangyue Mountain, where there were cries of grief.
Early that weekend morning, the five of them packed up and set off. Wei Wuxian, still dressed in black, holding the Chen Qing in his hand, walked in front, humming a tuneless tune. Lan Wangji, dressed in white, carrying the Bichen on his back, followed beside him with a steady pace. Sizhui, Jin Ling, and Lan Jingyi followed behind, carrying swords and talismans on their backs, all of them in high spirits.
They chatted and laughed all the way, so the journey didn't seem long. Lan Jingyi kept talking, sometimes asking Wei Wuxian about the fun things he had experienced during night hunts, sometimes arguing with Jin Ling, causing Wei Wuxian to hit him on the head from time to time.
"You kid, if you say a few more words, be careful that you won't have the strength to draw your sword when you get there."
Lan Jingyi immediately covered his mouth, but couldn't help but secretly wink at Sizhui.
Jin Ling's mouth twitched at their amusement, but he didn't retort as usual. He just listened very attentively when Wei Wuxian talked about practical combat techniques.
When they were almost at Moon-Watching Mountain, Wei Wuxian suddenly stopped and signaled for everyone to be quiet: "There's movement up ahead."
Several people immediately held their breath and drew their swords. Sure enough, a white shadow flashed through the woods ahead, accompanied by the faint sound of a woman crying.
"Here it comes!" Lan Jingyi gripped his sword tightly, feeling a little nervous and excited.
Wei Wuxian waved his hand, signaling them to stay put. He whistled, and Chen Qing spun gently. The white shadow seemed startled, its cries abruptly pausing as it transformed into a snow-white fox, darting deep into the woods.
"Fox demon?" Jin Ling frowned.
"Not like that." Si Zhui shook his head. "Although the crying sounded like a woman's, it was demonic. It was more like..."
"It's more like someone is deliberately playing tricks." Wei Wuxian took over the conversation and smiled knowingly, "Let's go and take a look."
They followed him into the woods and found a few beggars huddled in a corner of an abandoned mountain temple. They were holding rags and bamboo tubes, and they probably used them to imitate the woman's crying.
Seeing that they were discovered, the little beggars trembled with fear. One of the older ones mustered up the courage to say, "We...we just want to scare those hunters who came up the mountain, so that they won't have any ideas about us..."
Wei Wuxian's heart softened as he looked at their emaciated appearances. He fished out some small change from his pocket and handed it to them, "Don't play tricks anymore. It's not safe. Take this money and go find a decent job in the city."
The little beggars didn't expect that he not only didn't punish them but also gave them money, so they kowtowed and thanked him.
After the evil spirit was dealt with, it was still early. Wei Wuxian suggested a picnic in the mountains. Lan Wangji had already prepared a food box filled with delicious snacks and tea.
Several people sat on the hillside, looking at the distant scenery and eating snacks. The atmosphere was particularly comfortable.
"It turns out that night hunting is not all about fighting and killing." Lan Jingyi said with emotion while chewing on the pastry.
“That’s right.” Wei Wuxian smiled and ruffled his hair. “Many times, human hearts are more complicated than evil spirits. That’s why I brought you out here—not only to learn how to subdue demons and monsters, but also to learn how to discern people’s hearts.”
Jin Ling nodded silently and kept these words in mind.
Sizhui looked at his father, who was chatting and laughing, and his father, who was quietly sipping tea, then looked at Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling beside him, and suddenly felt that this time was really good. No disputes, no dangers, only family and friends, and the breeze and sunshine in the mountains.
He knew that this night hunt might not be spectacular, but it would be like a warm stone, falling into the long river of memory, spreading gentle ripples. And these ripples would eventually converge into a river, accompanying them as they grew.
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